Thursday, July 12, 2012

July 12 is National Pecan Pie Day

If you are into Pecan Pie, then you are going to love my favorite recipe for Chocolate Pecan Pie - it's sure to win the hearts of everyone you serve it to - this time of year pair it with homemade vanilla ice cream and you and everyone else will be in dessert heaven - Enjoy!

HEIDI BILLOTTO'S CHOCOLATE PECAN PIE
TART

Recipe by Charlotte Culinary Expert, Heidi Billotto

3 cups granulated sugar

pinch salt

7 Tbsps. unsweetened cocoa

4 large eggs ( local farm eggs always work the best)

1 Tbsp. vanilla

12 ounces whole organic milk

1 stick butter, melted

2-3 cups pecan halves (be generous)

Dough for two pies fitted into two 10 inch French tart pans with
removable bottoms

Carefully fit the dough into each of the French tart pans,
trimming edges to fit. Place each on a baking sheet. Mix sugar, salt, and cocoa
together. Whisk together the eggs, vanilla, and milk; stir into the dry
ingredients. Add melted butter and stir until well blended. Fill each pie shell
two - thirds full with pecan halves.

Pour filling over the pecans. Bake in a preheated 350 degree
oven for 40 to 45 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. If you are taking your tart
to-go, transport themin the pans and
then removed on site for easy serving. Top with freshly whipped cream or ice
cream if you would like.
Makes 2 pies.

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About Me

For more than a dozen years, culinary expert Heidi Billotto has been writing about food and restaurants for several Charlotte-based magazines, newspapers and Web sites. Heidi writes extensive culinary spreads, health, travel and personal profile articles for Charlotte Living, a bimonthly four color magazine published in Charlotte, NC.
Heidi’s popular food and restaurant section is called Very Culinary and includes restaurant reviews, chef profiles and a column about wine and winemakers cleverly dubbed, WineKnow.
Between columns, Heidi teaches a regular schedule of weekly cooking classes both in her home and at Reid’s Fine Foods and conducts private in-home or office cooking classes for corporate team building and social gatherings. She has also parlayed her culinary talents to develop a small but successful catering business and she publishes a monthly email newsletter with info about her cooking classes, Charlotte restaurants, food happenings and more.
Heidi is married to Charlotte singer and musician, Tom Billotto. The two often work together providing “food and mood” at private parties and corporate events.